BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) – The Williams sisters gave the United States a 2-0 lead over Argentina in their Fed Cup World Group II tennis tie on Saturday.
Venus defeated Paula Ormaechea 6-3, 6-2, in the first match, and Serena, the newly crowned Australian Open champion, won over Maria Irigoyen 7-5, 6-0.
Serena can clinch the first-round tie on Sunday, in the first reverse singles against Ormaechea.
That should put the United States in the playoffs in April, for a chance to return to the World Group next year.
Argentina’s only possible advantage was the clay surface, which is never a favourite of the Americans. The Williams sisters own 56 Grand Slam singles, doubles and mixed doubles titles.
Ormaechea is world ranked No. 121, and Irigoyen No. 197.
Venus Williams of the United States returns a shot during the women’s singles tennis match against Paula Ormaechea of Argentina, at the Fed Cup World Group II. (AP)
Selected Results
World Group
First Round
Czech Republic 2, Canada 0
Karolina Pliskova (Czech Republic) defeated Francoise Abanda (Canada) 6-2, 6-4
Tereza Smitkova (Czech Republic) def. Gabriela Dabrowski (Canada) 6-1, 6-2
Italy 2, France 0
Sara Errani (Italy) def. Caroline Garcia (France) 7-6 (2), 7-5
Camila Giorgi (Italy) def. Alize Cornet (France) 6-4, 6-2
Russia 2, Poland 0
Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) def. Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) 6-4 2-6, 6-2
Maria Sharapova (Russia) def. Urszula Radwanska (Poland) 6-0, 6-3
Germany 1, Australia 1
Jarmila Gajdosova (Australia) def. Angelique Kerber (Germany) 4-6, 6-2, 6-4
Andrea Petkovic (Germany) def. Sam Stosur (Australia) 6-4, 3-6, 12-10
World Group II
First Round
United States 2, Argentina 0
Venus Williams (United States) def. Paula Ormaechea (Argentina) 6-3, 6-2
Serena Williams (United States) def. Maria Irigoyen (Argentina) 7-5, 6-0
Netherlands 1, Slovakia 1
Anna Schmiedlova (Slovakia) def. Kiki Bertens (Netherlands) 6-2, 7-5.
Arantxa Rus (Netherlands) def. Magdalena Rybarikova (Slovakia) 6-3, 6-4
Romania 1, Spain 1
Simona Halep (Romania) def. Silvia Soler-Espinosa (Spain) 6-2, 6-1.
Garbine Muguruza (Spain) def. Irina-Camelia Begu (Romania) 6-3, 6-2